Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
Holiday and stress – it’s that time of the year again. The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and family togetherness. But for many people, they can also be a time of stress and anxiety. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season, here are some tips to help you manage. First, take some time for yourself. Make sure you get plenty of sleep and exercise, and take some time to relax and de-stress. Second, set realistic expectations. It’s okay to say no to invitations or events that are too overwhelming. And finally, lean on your support system. Talk to your friends and family about how you’re feeling, and ask them for help in coping with the stress of the holiday season. With these tips, you can enjoy the holidays while still managing your stress
1) Nurturing Yourself
Nurturing yourself is a way to cope with holiday stress. As the holidays approach, it’s common for people to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. What can you do? Take care of yourself by eating healthy foods that will give you energy, getting enough sleep each night, exercising regularly and reducing your alcohol consumption. Practising healthier habits will help keep the holiday season fun!
2) Setting Realistic Expectation
Setting realistic expectation is important because the holidays can be a stressful time for many people. Whether it’s the stress of trying to please everyone on your list, or the pressure of having to make everything perfect, there are plenty of ways that holiday stress can get out of control. One way to cope is by setting realistic expectations and not getting too hung up on what you think has to happen in order for things to be perfect.
It’s important not to let unrealistic expectations take over and make you feel like a failure when they don’t happen. If we all set more realistic expectations and focused on enjoying ourselves with those around us instead, we would be less likely to put so much pressure on ourselves during this time period.
3) Leaning on Your Support System
Leaning on your support system is important because the holidays can be a stressful time for everyone. More so, especially for teenagers and young adults who are trying to figure out how to navigate through this new stage of their lives. It can be tough to deal with all the expectations that come with the holiday season, both from others and from yourself. One of the best ways to cope with holiday stress is to lean on your support system. This might mean relying on your parents for help or leaning on your friends for emotional support. Whatever form your support system takes, it’s important to remember that they are there for you during this time. So don’t hesitate to reach out if you need some extra help coping with holiday stress.
It’s no secret that the holidays can be stressful. The anticipation of seeing family members you haven’t seen in a while, combined with trying to find time for all your obligations and activities, is enough to make anyone anxious! But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of ways you can cope during these busy weeks. Some ideas include nurturing yourself by practising self-care or setting realistic expectations so things don’t get overwhelming. And most importantly, lean on your support system – whether they’re friends or family – when times get tough! If any of these sounds like something you need help with, we’re here for you as part of our commitment to you.
Emem Iniobong, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who helps children, teens, young adults, parents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.